01: The beginning

LILITH

I want everything life can offer. Money, fame, anything... And I have it all.

“You cannot make me get married to him, Father! I have other things to do with my life and Rayne De Luca of all people, he belongs to a rival family, what is going on in your head, Father!” My breath comes out in short gasps as I stare pointedly at my Father. The fact that he would sell my hands in marriage to a rival family is absurd and completely unacceptable.

I want to scream.

Throw fists.

Scratch my braids out.

Heavens I want to strangle my so-called Fiancé even before I meet him. No one is listening to me, heck no one has ever listened to me.

Our family dealt in wines an of course other dealings that were definitely not clean, but we are one of the two Italian families that ruled Crown City and even Italy at large. If you would put a name on it, we are literally the Mafia.

The De Luca family is the second Mafia family, and of course the one whose son I am allegedly marrying.

"We have been at each other's neck for far too long, it is best we put an end to our dispute."

"So you think marrying me off will bring peace?" I ask in disbelief.

“You will do as I say, Lilith. There is no disputing,” Father says with a tone of finality.

The ground feels like it would swallow me up, my head feels like it is constricting. “You cannot do this to me, Dad.”

“I can, and I have. Your fiancé will be here with his family for formal introductions so be prepared.”

“What?!”

"My decision is final."

"Of course it is, you never listen to anyone anyways."

I storm out of my Father's office in annoyance, ignoring the warnings in my head that tells me I would pay dearly for raising my voice at my Father.

The whip marks on my back are still enough reminders of what happens every time I do that. Father knows I do not give a damn though, it is why he probably thinks I am perfect for this arrangement, because I am strong-headed unlike my twin sister, Riya who only loves the wealth and name being a Russo's daughter gives her.

I am the son my Father never had and at a point I had almost thought he would let me take over his empire. Wishful thinking.

"Lilith!" My sister's annoying voice rings from the dining as I go to pick up a fruit to munch on.

"Hey sis," I answer dryly.

"Tristan told me Dad called for you, what did he say?" Tristan already told her everything, but it is only typical of Riya to want to hear from the horse's mouth.

Warily, I throw a glare at Tristan who looks away as if he had done nothing. The damn bodyguard just did not know when to keep his mouth shut.

"If Tristan told you Dad called for me, why didn't he tell you the reason?"

"Hey, stop being difficult and just tell me. You really are getting married to Rayne De Luca?" Riya's eyes shine with curiosity and I can imagine her ear elongating to hear more.

Such simple life for a Russo's daughter. She knows nothing about the industry, she knows nothing of the crimes that goes on behind the wine dealings and all, which is why I would protect her from every harm our fucked up world could bring to her even though she is an annoying selfish brat.

"According to your Father, yes I am getting married to the De Luca guy," I say, indulging her.

"You don't say," she gasps. "The Rayne De Luca? The most eligible bachelor in all of Italy?" Her mouth props open and her eyes looks like they would bulge out of its socket.

I roll my eyes. "You are being fucking dramatic."

"No you are the one who is being dramatic by not dancing on your two feet because you are snagging Crown's most priced possession."

"You are insane," I mutter, taking a bite of the apple I had picked earlier.

"So says the one moping around when her wedding is around the corner," Riya shoots back.

"Just shut up, Riya!"

"How many times I have I told you not to raise your voice at your sister, Lilith Russo?" My mother's cool voice slides into the kitchen unannounced, her entrance leaving a tight knot in my stomach.

"Good evening mum." Riya greets, earning a pat on her head.

"Good evening, Amelia."

She scoffs at the name as if she had not gotten used to it even after ten years.

"That is no way to address your mother," She says.

I shrug. "Thankfully, I do not have a mother." The only thing that tethers me to her is my skin colour. I take another bite from my apple, avoiding her gaze which I know is glaring daggers at me right now.

"Your Father says you are getting married."

"I guess you finally get to throw me out of this house, don't you?" My tone is sharp, biting at her without remorse.

"We have a wedding to prepare, so throw aside your childish grudge for once, won't you?"

It is my turn to scoff at her words. Childish grudge is what she calls it. That same childish grudge has scarred me even more than my Father's whip.

My voice does not represent my thoughts. I give her a wide smile so in contrast with the malice that slices through my heart. "Of course, Amelia. I guess we should prepare for the wedding shopping."

"We should," she bites back.

I wait for nothing as I weave my way back into my room, welcoming the sense of home that comes with it. It is a room I decorated myself, and I will be leaving it soon.

The pale blue color blends with the several painting of the ocean that lines the wall. My canvas and painting material sits just below my desk, splashes of paints covering the area.

Father hates it. A stupid hobby is what he calls it.

I allow myself a minute of breath before going to my safe space. My hand hovers over the canvas as I hold my brush. With one strike against the canvas, I let out my frustrations.

I am getting married.

•

The disdainful blue dinner dress lies on my mother's hand. She is consulting me with a grin.

"Does it not look beautiful? Riya and I went shopping for the perfect dress you should wear to meet your husband to be this night."

Riya nods vigorously behind her. "I picked it for you. It will fit you perfectly and totally enhance your sexy features... And your eyes too." She looks at me longingly. "I have always wished to have a perfect body just like yours."

She always says it. Always makes it feel like it is a blessing to have the kind of body I have. I would beg to differ but I do not correct her. She would never understand anyways.

"Thank you for the dress. You can put it down now and leave my room," I say.

"Nonsense. You will wear it now and come with us because your Fiancé will be here in twenty minutes."

"You've got to be kidding me," I grit out, clenching my fists. "I will wear it. Now leave my room!"

Amelia gives me a cold glance as she puts down the clothe, but she says nothing as she leaves.

Fucking better.

I slam the door close once they are out, regarding the dress with so much anger.

Twenty minutes later meets me coming out into the dining room to meet my beloved husband to be. My attire would probably be the best he has ever seen.

"Lilith!" Mother's voice is panicky when she sees me, but I only have eyes for one person.

He is everything he should be. Handsome as hell, domineering, and has that dangerous look lurking in his cerulean eyes.

"What the hell is this, Lilith?!"

Rayne De Luca holds my gaze, and then he smirks.

"Interesting."

My mother is terrified out of her mind and so is Riya, while my father looks like he is going to kill me if he could. But I am less concerned about all of that, because it is the look on his face that I seek.

Rayne De Luca's annoyingly perfect lips are curled up in a smirk when he sees me. His gaze slowly appraises my choice of clothing, from my white crop top to the baggy faded jeans accompanying it and my braids let down instead of being packed up into a ponytail like Amelia suggested. Amusement dances in his eyes.

"Interesting," he states again, intrigue kindling in his tone.

"Mr De Luca, please pardon my daughter's manners." My mother is frantic as she looks from Rayne to me. It is the first time I have seen her so shaken up. Father says nothing, and Riya keeps eating at her finger, a bad habit she does when she is scared out of her wits.

"There is no need to be sorry, Mrs Russo. I appreciate that your daughter decided to join the dinner in an outfit that she feels comfortable in."

What? My smirk deflates. He cannot be serious.

"Have a seat, Ms Russo, or would you rather I call you by your name?"

My feet are moving to the only available space which is right beside him, but my mind has probably flown away wondering why Rayne De Luca is not boiling with anger at me for disrespecting him by dressing this way to our first meeting.

"You should probably drop the formalities, Mr De Luca. After all we are going to be families," Father says with a stiff smile.

“You should listen to my Father, Rayne De Luca. Formalities are outdated,” I tell my fiance, malice dripping from my tone.

“Of course, Princess. Calling you by your name will certainly be the best.”

Princess. The nickname grits at my hear, causing a wicked memory to flash in my eyes. “Do not call me Princess,” I hiss at Rayne.

He stares at me for a while and then smiles. “As you wish, Lilith.”

My name on his lips sounds like a fucking curse.

He is smiling, but there is a darkness lurking in his eyes, like he is silently warning me not to forget that he is supposed to be my enemy.

...